European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 26, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse Wednesday april 26, 1973 the stars and stripes Page 1 a Momii ancestral safari san the Ould Sod Ehri Nate Herb a not we and by j. King Cruger travel writer their roots or at least their aunt Uncle Malachy or Cousin Brian. The successful ones did some careful prior planning before embarking on their ancestral safaris. They Gath ered every scrap and morsel that could Aid them in the Ore than a Quarter of a million american visited the Republic of Ireland last year about a third of them Bent on digging out it Maggie if you re going to bunt up your Irish Kin and ancestors you should seek oat As Many sources As pos sible before starting the trip advised Fech Lemaher of the Irish tourist Board s Frankfort office. Hunt up family papers family bibles can be Partick Iris valuable in establishing just who it was who came Tram Ireland and when. Search the memories of relative sad Don t omit checking your own local government or lurch records. Local historical societies often Are of help be said. Now you must Bear in mind that because of our Trou bled history Irish records have suffered greatly. There Are still Many records mind you but you May run int gaps Here and there. Another Factor that May hamper your search is the fact that so Many irishmen share sur names like Sullivan Murphy o Brien and Kelly. You can t expect to have much Luck if All you know is that your great Grandfather s name was Michael Sullivan and he came from Cork. You have to narrow the search Smuch As possible. Also Many irishmen and women had Irish Christia names that were anglicized after they emigrated. In ire land a Man s name would have been Catha before be changed it to Charles or Donal before it became Daniel or Seamus before it wound up As James. Or a woman May have been known in her Village records As Alread before she became Margaret in America Siobhan before the change to Joan or Una before it was switched to Agnes. Find out the full name of your Emigrant ancestor an the background of his or her family. Often it can be a great help to know whether they were fishermen or farm ers Rich or poor. Every clue helps in trying to determine the exact town or Parish they came from. It helps to know Xing record office in Dublin four courts help in toeing Irish their religion too. Don t assume that everyone from the South of Ireland is Catholic. Some five per cent Are Maher says Dublin Dace it contain Many of the most important genealogical sources is a Likely starting Point for the determined banter about to begin nil search la Ireland. The general registration of ail births marriages an deaths began in Ireland in 1884, he said and those re cords Are entrusted to the office of the registrar general in the capital s custom House. You can make the search yourself or the staff will look it up for you for a Small fee he said. Another valuable place to continue the Hunt according to Maher is the Public record office in the four courts building along the Liffey. There despite the fact Many fits documents were destroyed in the civil War of the 1920s, Are contained the first records of what was know Nas the valuation office. It has books containing the names of those whose holdings were considerable enough that they were subject to state tithes during the first half of the 19th Century. So if your folks were among the landed Gentry you May find links to them there. The office also houses Many old papers pertaining to will Sand marriage License Bonds. According to the Irish tourist office the registry of deeds on Dublin s Henrietta Street is a Rich lode for info concerning property transactions with records running Iodate from 1708. Again a Small fee is charged. The National Library on Kildare Street has Man sources books family histories directories journals of historical societies can be of great help. Maher says your Best bet is with Dublin Castle genealogical office which will undertake searches in outside sources or within its own extensive hold ing for a fee of two pounds about 13.71 per hour. The staff there estimates the average peer of family tree takes from four to six boors. Catholic Church records Are Good primary source Sand Are in the custody of Parish priests throughout ire land. Unfortunately Many Church of Ireland record were destroyed in the 1922 burning of the Public record office although Many registers some dating Back tothe 18th Century have survived and Are in local churches said you re still coming up with nothing for your efforts Public libraries May be of help. Also Tombstone inscriptions in cemeteries might Well provide names and dates unobtainable elsewhere said your ancestors come from the six counties of Northern Ireland the lies Between Ulster and Nort America Are Strong. At least 10 american presidents came from Ulster Ireland has exceptionally Good Public re cords to help genealogists and Many of the 7.000 visitor from toe u s. Last year came for that or to visit their fam bet for researching in troubled Ulster is the Public record office of Northern Ireland Law court building May Street. Belfast. For a fee. The Ulster historical foundation will also undertake searches. For fur ther information Contact Secretary Ulster historical foundation h Balmoral St. Belfast but 6ny, Northern Ireland. A valuable publication for anyone thinking of taking Upa search for roots in Ireland is the handbook on Irish genealogy How to Trace your ancestors and relative sin Ireland published by heraldic artists ltd., Trinity College. College Green Dublin 2, Ireland. It s available for roughly j2.so. Plus postage
